The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tagbilaran City issued a cease and desist order against the Southern Star Bus Company for the transport firm’s Panglao trips grounding their buses plying said route.

According to LTO Tagbilaran registrar Erwin Patalinghug, the order was based on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LYFRB) 7’s findings which indicated that Ceres trips in Panglao are illegal.

Patalinghug said that the LFTRB 7 made its decision last week as the agency declared that Ceres does not have a franchise for its operations in Panglao.

The bus company previously filed a clarification on its routes in Bohol which included Panglao, but this was not approved.

Ceres was able to operate in Panglao for several weeks after the local government unit of Panglao issued the bus company a temporary permit to address transportation needs in the town.

However, petitions from transport operators and drivers in Panglao against the entry of Ceres into the town prompted the LTO to review the bus company’s status.

In the comments section of previous news, netizens expressed dismay over several factions protesting Ceres operations in Panglao noting that transportation offered by the bus company is needed in the town.

One netizen, Isy Piedad, said that “maayo untag mosulod ning Ceres sa Panglao kay lisud isakay ng lugara labi na kung gabii. Kung mag motor ka,  peldi pod ka kay perteng mahala”.

While some pointed out the condition of vehicles of local transport operators in Panglao which were described as old and uncomfortable to ride in.

“Makasabot sad unta ang mga local drivers diha sa Panglao. Honestly, pirti bati-a inyu transpo diha, murag 30 years na ang mga jeep or bus”, said netizen John dela Cruz.

Both netizens reacted on news indicating that Ceres drivers were being harassed and intimidated by transport operators and drivers in Panglao according to an official of the bus firm. (Allen Doydora)